RNFA COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW 2026
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉List the categories of microbial resistance.. Answer: Microbial
resistance can be divided into three categories: (1) presence of a
naturally resistant strain of an organism before any drugs are
administered, (2) acquisition of a drug-resistant strain from an
external source, and (3) drug resistance from treatment-related
causes.
◉Define the purpose for Gram staining.. Answer: Gram staining is a
procedure for staining bacteria that is the first step in classifying and
differentiating them into two large groups (gram-positive and gram-
negative) based on the chemical and physical properties of their cell
walls.
◉What gram-positive organisms are responsible for necrotizing
fasciitis?. Answer: Group A streptococci are responsible for
necrotizing fasciitis.
◉List agents identified by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) that could pose a threat to national and world
security and safety through bioterrorism.. Answer: The CDC has
identified anthrax, smallpox, plague, botulism, and tularemia as
bioterrorism threats.
,◉Which heat-resistant, spore-forming microorganism is used to test
steam sterilizer effectiveness?. Answer: Geobacillus
stearothermophilus is used for steam sterilizers.
◉List the sequence for surgical skin preps.. Answer: Surgical skin
preps are conducted in the following manner: Prepare (''prep'') the
cleanest area first and then move to the less clean areas (clean to
dirty).
◉What are the time and temperature parameters for gravity
displacement steam sterilizers?. Answer: Recommended time and
temperature settings for gravity displacement sterilizers are: 121-
123° C (250-254° F) for 15-30 minutes, or 132-135° C (270-275° F)
for 10-25 minutes.
◉Define the term airborne transmission.. Answer: Airborne
transmission occurs by dissemination of an infectious agent by
evaporated droplets or dust particles suspended in the air that can
be inhaled or deposited on a host.
◉What are the methods of air removal used by sterilizer units?.
Answer: Gravity displacement and dynamic air removal are methods
of air evacuation from a sterilization chamber.
,◉What is the primary mode of transmission implicated in
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections?.
Answer: The primary mode of transmission for MRSA is via direct
contact from the hands of healthcare personnel.
◉What is the human prion disease that is a fatal neurodegenerative
disease of the central nervous system?. Answer: Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease (CJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of the central
nervous system.
◉What is the transmission route for Hepatitis C virus?. Answer:
Hepatitis C virus is transmitted via direct exposure to blood or other
infectious materials.
◉Describe standard precautions. Answer: hand hygiene; personal
protective equipment (PPE; gloves, gowns, mouth/nose/eye
protection); respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette; patient
placement; patient-care equipment and instruments/devices; care
of the environment; textiles and laundry; worker safety
◉What gram-positive anaerobe proliferates and causes symptoms of
diarrhea, colitis, toxic megacolon, dehydration, and colonic
perforation?. Answer: Clostridium difficile causes symptoms of
diarrhea, colitis, toxic megacolon, dehydration, and colonic
perforation.
, ◉What is the recommended temperature in the operating room
(OR) to control bacterial growth?. Answer: The recommended
temperature to control bacterial growth is 68° F (20° C) to 73° F
(23° C).
◉What pathologic organism often seen in critical care and burn
units?. Answer: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is often found in critical
care and burn units.
◉What is the recommended steam quality that is necessary to
achieve sterilization?. Answer: A steam quality of 97% or greater is
necessary for sterilization.
◉Define the term sterilization.. Answer: Sterilization is the complete
elimination or destruction of all forms of microbial life.
◉How does the Spaulding classification define critical items?.
Answer: Those items that enter sterile tissue or the vascular system
are considered critical under the Spaulding system.
◉How does the Spaulding classification define noncritical items?.
Answer: Those items that come into contact only with intact skin are
considered noncritical under the Spaulding system.
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉List the categories of microbial resistance.. Answer: Microbial
resistance can be divided into three categories: (1) presence of a
naturally resistant strain of an organism before any drugs are
administered, (2) acquisition of a drug-resistant strain from an
external source, and (3) drug resistance from treatment-related
causes.
◉Define the purpose for Gram staining.. Answer: Gram staining is a
procedure for staining bacteria that is the first step in classifying and
differentiating them into two large groups (gram-positive and gram-
negative) based on the chemical and physical properties of their cell
walls.
◉What gram-positive organisms are responsible for necrotizing
fasciitis?. Answer: Group A streptococci are responsible for
necrotizing fasciitis.
◉List agents identified by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) that could pose a threat to national and world
security and safety through bioterrorism.. Answer: The CDC has
identified anthrax, smallpox, plague, botulism, and tularemia as
bioterrorism threats.
,◉Which heat-resistant, spore-forming microorganism is used to test
steam sterilizer effectiveness?. Answer: Geobacillus
stearothermophilus is used for steam sterilizers.
◉List the sequence for surgical skin preps.. Answer: Surgical skin
preps are conducted in the following manner: Prepare (''prep'') the
cleanest area first and then move to the less clean areas (clean to
dirty).
◉What are the time and temperature parameters for gravity
displacement steam sterilizers?. Answer: Recommended time and
temperature settings for gravity displacement sterilizers are: 121-
123° C (250-254° F) for 15-30 minutes, or 132-135° C (270-275° F)
for 10-25 minutes.
◉Define the term airborne transmission.. Answer: Airborne
transmission occurs by dissemination of an infectious agent by
evaporated droplets or dust particles suspended in the air that can
be inhaled or deposited on a host.
◉What are the methods of air removal used by sterilizer units?.
Answer: Gravity displacement and dynamic air removal are methods
of air evacuation from a sterilization chamber.
,◉What is the primary mode of transmission implicated in
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections?.
Answer: The primary mode of transmission for MRSA is via direct
contact from the hands of healthcare personnel.
◉What is the human prion disease that is a fatal neurodegenerative
disease of the central nervous system?. Answer: Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease (CJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of the central
nervous system.
◉What is the transmission route for Hepatitis C virus?. Answer:
Hepatitis C virus is transmitted via direct exposure to blood or other
infectious materials.
◉Describe standard precautions. Answer: hand hygiene; personal
protective equipment (PPE; gloves, gowns, mouth/nose/eye
protection); respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette; patient
placement; patient-care equipment and instruments/devices; care
of the environment; textiles and laundry; worker safety
◉What gram-positive anaerobe proliferates and causes symptoms of
diarrhea, colitis, toxic megacolon, dehydration, and colonic
perforation?. Answer: Clostridium difficile causes symptoms of
diarrhea, colitis, toxic megacolon, dehydration, and colonic
perforation.
, ◉What is the recommended temperature in the operating room
(OR) to control bacterial growth?. Answer: The recommended
temperature to control bacterial growth is 68° F (20° C) to 73° F
(23° C).
◉What pathologic organism often seen in critical care and burn
units?. Answer: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is often found in critical
care and burn units.
◉What is the recommended steam quality that is necessary to
achieve sterilization?. Answer: A steam quality of 97% or greater is
necessary for sterilization.
◉Define the term sterilization.. Answer: Sterilization is the complete
elimination or destruction of all forms of microbial life.
◉How does the Spaulding classification define critical items?.
Answer: Those items that enter sterile tissue or the vascular system
are considered critical under the Spaulding system.
◉How does the Spaulding classification define noncritical items?.
Answer: Those items that come into contact only with intact skin are
considered noncritical under the Spaulding system.
